Memorandum:

 

To:                  Winnefox Library System Trustees 

From:              Mark Arend, Interim Assistant Director

Subject:           Report of System Activities

Date:               19 January 2004

 

Greetings and Happy New Year!  The following is an update of activities since our last meeting—there’s a lot going on so the report is longer than usual.  As always, I’ll be happy to provide further details at our meeting, or feel free to give me a call or send an email in advance.

 

Library Legislative Day:

The Wisconsin Library Association’s 2004 Library Legislative Day is scheduled for Tuesday 3 February 2004.  This is a day for library supporters to get together and talk with state legislators about the value of libraries and library services.  It is vital that legislators get the word about the importance of libraries.  They need to be reminded that, far from being an “extra” service, libraries provide citizens with the information they need to find jobs, start businesses, and educate themselves on current issues. 

 

 I don’t need to tell you how important it is to let legislators know how the current fiscal crisis is impacting local libraries.  If you have thoughts about this, Library Legislative Day is an excellent opportunity to make your views known.  By the time we meet, advance registration will be over but you can still plan on attending.  Feel free to register on-site.  Winnefox will reimburse you for registration and travel. 

 

If you cannot attend, consider writing letters or making other personal contact with your Assembly Representative and Senator.  They need to hear more about the value of libraries.

 

 

Trustee Workshop:

After our March meeting you are invited to remain for our program on Trustees as Advocates with Assistant State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Rick Grobschmidt.  Before moving to the Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning Rick spent many years in the State Legislature.  You can register through the office or by letting me know at the meeting.  Please note that the workshop—and our March meeting—will be at the Ripon Public Library.

 

 

Library Statistics and Annual Reports:

Early figures indicate that most libraries had increases in use last year—some of them fairly steep increases.  Directors are working on their annual reports and I should have statistics for you at our next meeting.

 

 

Free Music CDs for Libraries:

You may have read news accounts of the settlement of a class-action lawsuit against several music retailers & distributors; the lawsuit charged that the companies engaged in price fixing of compact discs.  As a result, public libraries in Wisconsin will be receiving 105,577 music CDs.  Winnefox libraries expect to receive over 5,000 free CDs.  This will be a great windfall for member libraries, especially smaller libraries struggling to build music collections.  I will have a chart of what each library is expected to receive at our meeting if you’d like to see

 

 

Summary of 2004 Library Funding:

Library funding for this year is mixed.  Three of our counties—Fond du Lac, Marquette, and Winnebago—saw increases ranging from 3% to 6.2%.  Waushara County had no increase in funding and Green Lake County saw a 3% decrease.  

 

Municipal funding is similarly mixed.  Eight libraries had decreases in funding ranging mostly in the 3%-5% range.  10 libraries will be receiving the same in 2004 as in 2003.  The remaining 12 libraries received funding increases. 

 

Below is a table summarizing funding by County.  I will have detailed information on each county at our meeting.

 

2003

2004

Change

Fond du Lac Municipal

2,154,700

2,180,393

25,693

1.19%

Fond du Lac County

553,345

587,705

34,360

6.21%

Fond du Lac Total

2,710,048

2,770,102

60,054

2.22%

 

 

 

 

 

Green Lake Municipal

587,919

574,759

-13,160

-2.24%

Green Lake County

222,618

215,947

-6,671

-3.00%

Green Lake Total

810,537

790,706

-19,831

-2.45%

 

 

 

 

 

Marquette Municipal

161,299

164,289

2,990

1.85%

Marquette County

133,061

137,053

3,992

3.00%

Marquette Total

294,360

301,342

6,982

2.37%

 

 

 

 

 

Waushara Municipal

194,390

200,508

6,118

3.15%

Waushara County

335,550

335,550

0

0.00%

Waushara Total

529,940

536,058

6,118

1.15%

 

 

 

 

 

Winnebago Municipal

4,333,987

4,284,319

-49,668

-1.15%

Winnebago County

1,764,874

1,826,609

61,735

3.50%

Winnebago Total

6,098,861

6,110,928

12,067

0.20%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Municipal summary

7,432,295

7,404,268

-28,027

-0.38%

County summary

3,009,448

3,102,864

93,416

3.10%

 

 

 

 

 

Winnefox Overall

10,443,746

10,509,136

65,390

0.63%

 

 

Library Compliance Issues:

I am happy to report that we have developed a plan whereby Neshkoro Public Library should return to full compliance with state requirements for system membership soon.  The director will be taking her final class starting in April.

 

Unfortunately, we have another library—Oakfield Public Library—which is also out of compliance for a similar reason.  In this case the director had registered for her final class with the UW Madison School of Library and Information Studies but the class was cancelled because not enough persons were signed up.  She will be taking the class in July.  I have also expressed my concerns with the staff at the Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning that a library’s compliance could be put in jeopardy because of a class cancellation.

 

 

Library Director Recertification:

Four of our library directors will be renewing their certification this year.  I will be working with them to see that the recertification process goes smoothly.

 

 

LSTA Grant:

In 2004 we will be receiving $25,788 in LSTA funds to be used for technology projects.  We will be using the entire amount to help pay for the planned upgrade of the WALS catalog/circulation system.

 

 

Library Building Project Roundup:  Several of our member libraries are celebrating building addition or remodeling projects during the first half of 2004.  On January 14th, Hancock Public Library had a quiet opening for their local history & genealogy center in what was formerly an unused second floor; they are planning a formal opening and open house for later this spring.  The Poy Sippi Public Library had an open house for their addition on January 18th; they have almost doubled the size of their building.  On January 31st, the Menasha Library will be holding a grand opening for their expansion and remodeling. 

 

On March 13th, the Fond du Lac Public Library will be holding a dedication & open house for their expansion and remodeling.  And Campbellsport Public Library will be holding an open house for their remodeled basement this spring.